Finland’s sauna tradition, celebrated for its ties to relaxation, nature, solitude and inner peace, was highlighted this week by Kraken defenseman Ville Ottavainen and forward Jani Nyman. Their participation underscores how the sport’s players embrace the country’s cultural heritage. The piece explores the role of sauna in Finnish life and its influence on the athletes.

Sauna is a major part of Finland’s overall culture widely built around relaxation, nature, solitude and inner peace, as Kraken defenseman Ville Ottavainen and forward Jani Nyman demonstrated this week ...